What is the Value of the Assessment Process?

How does it benefit my program?

What is the Purpose of Assessment?

Traditionally, programs have been assessed to determine if they meet specific criteria to be considered “quality”

• Checklist• Minimum Score• Rating

What if?

Assessments were used to tell us specifics about our own program to help us improve

the quality of child care we offer?

The score is not the end result but the starting point for quality improvement

The score of the assessment is not what should be focused on…

We need to focus on the information the assessment

provides and how

we can use it to improve!

Seeing where you “are” helps determine goals and objectives

that are specific to your program.

This makes the planning process for growth much more

manageable.

What are some things you can learn from an assessment?

• What are my strengths and challenges?• Do I have the materials needed to be

effective?• Am I making the most of routines and

transitions?• How frequently are children experiencing

positive interactions• And so much more….

Why Assess?

• Provides a “snapshot” of daily activities and interactions

• Reinforces the great things you are already doing in your program

• Provides you with direct feedback about actual classroom practices

• Provides important information about areas for growth

We know… On the day of the assessment…

The children are going to go wildThe toilets are going to overflowThe class pet is going to have babies….

IT’S OKAY!

“It takes a lot of courage to

show what you do when it is good, but even more so

when it is not perfect”

– All About the ITERS-R

Assessment Tools

The assessment tools used in the Strong Minds program are:

• CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System)

• ERS (Environment Rating Scales)

Child Care Centers

The assessment tools used for child care centers are:

• Pre-K CLASS

• ITERS-R

The Toddler CLASS may also be used for informational purposes.

Which rooms will be assessed?

A random selection of classrooms will be assessed:

• 50% of the 0 to 35 month classrooms• 50% of the 3 to 5 year classrooms

Pre-K CLASS Assessment

• Focuses solely on classroom interactions in three domains:• Emotional Support• Classroom Support• Instructional Support

• Four, 20 minute observation cycles• Outdoor time typically not observed

Toddler CLASS

• For classrooms where the majority of children are 15 to 36 months of age

• Focuses solely on classroom interactions in two domains:

• Emotional and Behavioral Support• Engaged Support for Learning

• Four, 20 minute observation cycles• Outdoor time typically not observed

ITERS

• Focuses on classroom environment:• Space and furnishings• Personal care• Listening and talking• Classroom Activities• Interactions• Program Structure

• 3 hour observation concluding with interview of lead staff

• Outdoor time is observed

Family Child Care Homes

The assessment tool used for FCCH is:

• FCCERS-R

FCCERS

• Focuses on classroom environment:• Space and furnishings• Personal care• Listening and talking• Activities• Interactions• Program Structure

• 3 hour observation concluding with interview of lead staff

• Outdoor time is observed

ITERS/FCCERS

• Although not all components of the ITERS/FCCERS tools will be scored, each will be assessed to provide you with a more comprehensive view of your program

What comes next?

• Because there is no “one size fits all” approach to quality child care, these assessment tools provide information tailored to fit your program’s specific needs

• This information can be used to create goals and objectives to improve quality outcomes

You’re not alone!

• The Navigators of the Strong Minds program will provide a menu of services to choose from that will enable you to target those goals and objectives

Strong Minds Navigators

Irene Apolinar

(561)374-7521

irene.apolinar@cscpbc.org

Natasha Smith

(561)374-7532

natasha.smith@cscpbc.org

For additional information…

Please view “How to Prepare for the Assessment Process” and other videos on the www.forumpac.com website for additional information

Questions?